Police blitz in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside helped curb crime, but lasting change needed, locals say

Vancouver city officials say a $5-million policing crackdown in the Downtown Eastside has produced a sharp drop in crime and calls for service, a claim met with praise and skepticism from those in the embattled neighbourhood.

Earlier this week, Mayor Ken Sim, Chief Constable Steve Rai and Fire Chief Karen Fry said the six-month enforcement blitz launched in February drove down robberies by 44 per cent, serious assaults by 23 per cent, violent crime by 18 per cent and structure fires by 30 per cent year-over-year during the enforcement period. Firefighter-attended overdose calls fell 36 per cent across the Downtown Eastside, Yaletown and Strathcona.